Storm hammers North Shore of Lake Sakakawea
By Jerry W. Kram
A powerful storm system that brought two days of heavy rain to the region also brought winds that overturned campers in Four Bears Park and downed powerlines across the north shore of Lake Sakakawea.
A number of campers and at least one pontoon were overturned by the windstorm that swept across the area late Monday night. Although a tornado warning was issued, Mountrail County Emergency Manager Warren Bogerts said no tornado was reported officially. A storm chaser named Reed Timmers posted on Facebook that he measured winds of 80 to 90 miles an hours as the storm passed south of New Town.
Light poles on the Four Bears Bridge were snapped off. The 4 Bears Casino and Lodge suffered some minor damage.
Damage was also reported at Brendles Resort on Parshall Bay. A powerline at the resort was downed that started a tree on fire and a live powerline was draped over one of the trailers at the park. The Parshall Fire Department responded to the fire. Video shared on Facebook showed four foot waves pounding the dock at the resort.
About 25 power poles were broken by the winds, said Chris Brostuen, Mountrail Williams Electrical Cooperative Public Relations and Communications Manager. The damage left about 1,500 members without power. Brostuen said that number was down to 100 by Tuesday morning and just a few dozen were still without power early Wednesday morning.
